One game to go

The Lady Bulldogs have been taking it one game at a time this season — now there’s only one more left to play.

Whitefish’s girls soccer team topped Belgrade 3-0 Saturday in the semifinals of the Class A state tournament at Smith Fields. The Lady ‘Dogs scored twice in the first half and added another in the second to earn a ticket to the finals, where they’ll face rival Billings Central on Oct. 30 in Billings.

The match was called by Belgrade’s coach with 16 minutes remaining when the Panthers’ Lindsay Wichman went down with a concussion after knocking heads with a teammate.

Wichman was carried off the field in a stretcher and transported to North Valley Hospital. Since there was less than 20 minutes remaining, officials informed both coaches the game was considered complete, not a forfeit.

“That was an unfortunate and kind of bizarre way to end the game,” Whitefish coach Erin Morrison said. “I heard their heads hit, and when both the girls went down, our hearts went out to the team. I think the coach made the right decision to end the match. It’s a tough way for Belgrade to end their season, especially for those seniors.”

Wichman’s memory of the game is foggy, but otherwise she is reportedly doing OK. The teammate she collided with, Angie Schmit, suffered some headaches but was in school on Monday. In a separate incident earlier in the match, Belgrade striker Julie Provance was hit in the face with the ball and suffered a concussion and bloody nose. She is reportedly doing OK, as well.

Morrison called the semifinal match the “best game of the season” for Whitefish and said the team is peaking at the right time.

“The finals is when we’re going to peak,” she said. “We’re so fit, both mentally and physically. We executed well against Belgrade, and you could see the air going out of their tires.”

Sam Dittman scored for Whitefish in the 14th minute off a blast from the top of the penalty box. The ball slipped through the keeper’s hands and into the back of the net. Presley Pritchard added another goal in the 38th minute when she cleaned up a loose ball in front of the net after a corner kick.

“When we score early, it really intimidates the other team,” Morrison said.

Charlotte Kamarath capped off the ‘Dogs’ scoring in the 57th minute with a rocket from 25 yards out that sailed into the upper right corner of the net. After the match, Kamarath said the win could be attributed to the team playing their “game.”

“We played like we do in practice,” said Kamarath, a senior exchange student. “I hope we can keep it going into the finals.”

Kamarath said she’s thrilled to be a part of the winning season.

“I can’t explain it,” she said. “This has been the best year of my life. I’m so happy to be a part of this team. I’d do anything to help us win state.”

Senior captain Jordan Carper said after the match that the team has been fighting for an opportunity at a state title all season.

“We all came in saying that we’re going to win this game,” Carper said, “and that we’re not walking off this field with a loss.”

Carper, more than any girl on the team, has been pining for revenge against Billings Central since they lost to the Rams early in the year.

“Oh my gosh,” she said, “ I’m so excited to play them again.”

Morrison said the team has more confidence this season than they did in last year’s playoffs when they lost to Billings 5-0. Morrison herself still thinks about that game, and like Carper wants to settle the score.

“It should be sweet revenge from last year,” she said. “Hopefully that fuels the fire for us. We have nothing to lose. They have won back-to-back titles and have the 43-game winning streak. They have everything to lose.”

As for tactics — if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

“We’re going to make Billings play our game,” she said. “If we make them chase the ball, we’re going to win. It’s in our hands to win, but we still have to work for it.”

Morrison said that if there’s a weakness for Billings, it’s their defense and keeper, which Whitefish will look to exploit with through-balls and drives up the middle. She’s quick to note that the match is going to be a battle between the two best teams in the state.

“You want to play the best team in the finals,” she said. “ Then you can say, ‘We went up against the best,’ and it’s that much more gratifying. I’m happy we’re playing Billings.”

Whitefish will travel east on Friday and take the afternoon and evening to walk the field and get a feel for the turf. Morrison said it’s a good field and that they’re comfortable with it.

Having the home field could be a big advantage for Billings since they regularly draw big crowds.

“All of their crowd is bunched on one side and on one end of the field,” she said. “It’s intimidating to play near that.”

To ready for the game, the Lady ‘Dogs will have a light week of practice and focus on nutrition.

“I want them to eat right a few days before the game,” Morrison said. “We’re going to taper this week with some light running and working on keeping possession. I really want to take it easy. We’re so fit, I’m not worried about that. We’re mostly going to visualize the game, every header and shot on goal.”

Belgrade 0 0 - 0

Whitefish 2 1 - 3

WHITEFISH - Sam Dittman (Lottie Kamarath), 14:00; Presley Pritchard (Kamarath), 38:00; Kamarath (Dittman), 57:00. Shots on goal - Belgrade 2, Whitefish 19; Corner kicks - Belgrade 0, Whitefish 5; Goalie saves - Belgrade 3 (Harper Jakob), Whitefish 0 (Callie Marsh, Madisen Cross); Fouls - Belgrade 3, Whitefish 2; Cards - NA.